“A model that should be offered for every county in the state,” remarked Richard Canada, director of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, Tennessee Department of Health after spending the day at Healthy Horizons.

Food, fun, and fitness….all enjoyed by Polk County fourth-grade youth, parents, and teachers.

Healthy Horizons is a day camp program focusing on healthy lifestyles including physical activity and nutrition. The youth rotated through a series of learning activities such as relay races, an inflatable obstacle course, Tai Chi, fruit bingo, and learning sessions such as MyPyramid, bone health, portion control, among others.

Classes for parents and teachers focused on healthy cooking while on a budget and limited time for meal preparation with professional Chef Clyde Rush. Terra Gott, nutrition educator with the Health Department, provided tips for healthier family meals and a book with nutritious recipes.

As part of its longstanding commitment to supporting the communities in which it does business, Cargill donated $3,100 to Polk County 4-H in support of the program.

Horizon Milling, LLL in Chattanooga, a Cargill joint venture, contributed to the donation. Cargill has supported the program since 2004.

Truly a community effort, many organizations were involved in the event. They included the Polk County Health Council, Polk County Schools, Polk County Coordinated School Health, Polk County Health Department, Southeast Regional Office of the Tennessee Health Department, Georgia Department of Health, Benton Family Health Care Center, Crystal Geyser, Tennessee Nutrition Consumer Education Program (TNCEP), Department of Children's Services, Polk County 4-H Honor Club, Polk County High School Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) and coordinated by UT Extension Polk County. UT Extension provides equal opportunity in programming and employment.